Ahead of the upcoming Local Government election in Abia State, scheduled for November 2, the state chapter of the Labour Party has called on the public to disregard any directives issued by the former party chairman, Mr. Ceekay Igara, concerning the sale of nomination forms.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the party’s acting state chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Otti, urged party members and aspirants to obtain their nomination forms exclusively from the Labour Party secretariat in Umuahia, the state capital.

He stressed that all official communications or instructions related to party activities must come from the state Caretaker Committee, adding that any other sources should be reported as cases of impersonation.

Otti’s statement clarified, “We have been made aware of a misleading radio announcement by the former chairman, Mr. Ceekay Igara, directing the public on where to buy nomination forms for the upcoming Local Government election primaries.

The public should disregard this notice, as Mr. Igara’s tenure, along with that of other members of the state and National Working Committees under Julius Abure, has expired.

As a result, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) no longer recognizes them, and a National Caretaker Committee led by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman has been established to oversee the party’s affairs.”

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Otti further reassured the public that the Labour Party in Abia State is committed to conducting a fair and transparent process for the sale of nomination forms and the selection of candidates, ensuring peace and order prevail throughout the exercise.

Additionally, the party announced the schedule for its Local Government election primary process.

The sale of nomination and expression of interest forms will commence on Wednesday, October 2, 2024.

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Submission of completed forms and the screening of aspirants is scheduled for Thursday, October 3, followed by the primary election for chairmanship and councillorship candidates on Friday, October 4, 2024.

Rep. Chris Nkwonta, who represents Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency in Abia State, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Following his defection, Nkwonta was appointed as the Chairman of the newly established House Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC).

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The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, announced the defection but did not provide specific reasons for Nkwonta’s move.

While members of the APC welcomed him, Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Aliyu Sani Madaki (NNPP, Kano) raised a constitutional concern.

He cited Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which stipulates that a lawmaker can only switch parties if there is a crisis in their current party.

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Madaki argued that Nkwonta’s seat should be declared vacant.

However, Speaker Abbas dismissed the objection, stating that there is a faction within the PDP, which he believed justified the defection.

In addition to Nkwonta’s new role, the Speaker announced several other committee appointments, including Rep. Timehin Adelegbe as Chairman of the Committee on Science Research Institutions, Rep. Kabiru Ahmadi Mai Palace for the Committee on Sports, Rep. Abubakar Gummi for the Committee on the North East Development Commission (NEDC), and Rep. Kama Nkemkanma for the Committee on Climate Change and Security.

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Several other lawmakers were also named to head various committees.

A group of youths in Ondo State have staged a protest at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Akure, calling for the immediate removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Oluwatoyin Babalola.

The protesters accused Babalola of aligning with certain politicians ahead of the upcoming governorship election, scheduled for November 16.

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Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the protesters claimed that Babalola’s continued presence as the state’s chief electoral officer could jeopardize the integrity of the election.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Ijanusi Olawale alleged that Babalola has been fraternizing with members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), raising concerns about her impartiality.

Olawale further alleged that Babalola is a card-carrying member of the APC, which he argued compromises her ability to oversee a free and fair election.

The protesters demanded that INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, transfer Babalola out of Ondo and appoint a neutral REC to ensure a credible election.

Olawale emphasized that Babalola’s alleged political ties pose a conflict of interest, which undermines the people’s trust in the electoral process.

Attempts to reach the REC for a response were unsuccessful, as her phone was switched off.

However, the administrative secretary of INEC in Ondo State, Biodun Amosun, assured the public that the commission would address the concerns raised by the protesters.

Amosun also reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting a transparent and unbiased election where every vote would count.

The Senate has called on the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, to address the declining condition of the Old Oyo-Ogbomoso road.

This decision came after a motion was presented by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai (APC, Oyo North), who raised alarm over the increasing hardship faced by commuters due to the deteriorating state of the road.

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Senator Abdulfatai noted that the road, which serves as a critical link between the southern and northern regions of the country, has been in poor condition for over a decade, despite various repair efforts by the Federal Government.

The road’s poor state has led to frequent accidents and daily traffic congestion, particularly due to heavy-duty vehicles.

Following discussions, the Senate agreed to summon the Works Minister to provide explanations and potential solutions.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has declared Thursday, October 3, and Friday, October 4, as public holidays to enable residents to travel to their communities and participate in the upcoming Local Government elections scheduled for Saturday, October 5, 2024.

In a statewide broadcast from the Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Fubara announced a restriction on vehicular movement from midnight on Friday, October 4, until 5:00 p.m. on election day.

He explained that these measures were necessary to ensure smooth and peaceful elections.

Fubara outlined the rationale behind the local government elections, noting that the tenures of the chairmen and councilors of the 23 local government councils had expired on June 17, 2023.

“I lawfully instituted caretaker committees to temporarily administer the 23 local government areas pending when the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) would conduct the elections,” he said.

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He referenced the Supreme Court’s July 11, 2024 judgment, which prohibited the administration of local governments by unelected officers, and ordered an immediate halt to statutory allocations for such councils.

“Following Mr President’s intervention, the period for compliance with the Supreme Court’s judgment was graciously extended by three months, which will expire on the 31st of October 2024,” the governor explained.

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Governor Fubara further disclosed that RSIEC had made all necessary arrangements to conduct the elections on October 5, 2024, as directed.

He added that a Rivers State High Court judgment delivered on September 4, 2024, also mandated the conduct of the elections, using the 2023 INEC voter register.

“As of today, RSIEC has expressed and demonstrated concrete and verifiable capacity and readiness to conduct the 2024 Rivers State Local Government Elections on the 5th of October 2024,” Fubara said.

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He also revealed that 17 out of 18 registered political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), had submitted candidates for the election.

“As of today, over 10 States in Nigeria have conducted local government council elections using the 2023 INEC Voters’ Register since the Supreme Court’s judgment and Rivers State cannot be an exception,” he stated.

Fubara emphasized the constitutional and legal obligations of the state to hold the elections, citing the potential loss of statutory allocations to the 23 councils and the state’s obligation to comply with both the Supreme Court and High Court rulings.

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“In light of these developments, I assure every resident that the election for the 23 Local Government Councils in Rivers State shall be held on Saturday, 5th October 2024, throughout the State,” he reaffirmed.

The governor assured citizens that adequate funding and logistics had been provided for RSIEC to conduct a free, fair, and credible election.

He also urged registered voters to go to their polling units to cast their votes, assuring them that security personnel would be deployed to maintain order.

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“To this end, I hereby declare Thursday and Friday, the 3rd and 4th of October 2024, as public holidays for citizens to travel to their communities and participate in the election,” the governor said.

He added that the movement restriction was aimed at ensuring safety and compliance during the voting process.

“Furthermore, I hereby place a total restriction on vehicular and human movements into, within, and out of the State, and the Local Government Areas, from midnight of Friday, 4th October 2024, to 5.00 p.m. on Saturday, 5th October 2024, except for persons and vehicles with valid identifications who are on election and other essential duties,” he declared.

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Governor Fubara also instructed the police and security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone attempting to violate the restrictions, expressing his appreciation for their cooperation in securing the state during the elections.

“As citizens, we all owe our State the commitment to support RSIEC to succeed in delivering on its constitutional duty to conduct a free, fair, and credible Local Government Council election to usher in a new set of democratically elected leaders to administer the 23 Local Government Councils,” Fubara concluded.

Former APC National Auditor, Chief George Moghalu, has officially joined the Labour Party (LP) as he sets his sights on the Anambra South Senatorial seat.

Moghalu, who recently resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the switch ahead of the by-election to replace the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.

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Moghalu, also the immediate past Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, was welcomed by Labour Party ward executives in his hometown of Uruagu, Nnewi, Nnewi North Local Government Area, on Tuesday.

At the event, he formally completed his LP membership registration and received his party membership card.

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Speaking after his induction, Moghalu expressed his commitment to contesting for the Anambra South Senatorial seat under the LP platform.

Moghalu’s defection comes just a month after leaving the APC.

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Adamu Aliyu, has revealed that the agency recovered over ₦13 billion in misappropriated public funds in September 2024.

Aliyu, speaking during the launch of the ICPC’s 2024-2028 strategic action plan in Abuja, emphasized the commission’s commitment to its anti-corruption mandate.

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While Aliyu did not disclose the specific individuals or sectors involved in the recovery, he highlighted the ongoing efforts of the ICPC in addressing corruption across various areas of public service.

“In September alone, we successfully recovered over ₦13 billion in diverted public funds. This is part of our continuous effort to fulfill our mandate and strengthen accountability in governance,” he stated.

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Aliyu also announced that the ICPC is undergoing a digital transformation to enhance its operational efficiency.

The digitalisation process will improve investigations, case management, and internal procedures, allowing the commission to better combat corruption in the digital age.

“Our ICT reforms will position the ICPC as a leader in leveraging technology, helping us stay ahead of criminal activities,” he explained.

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Additionally, the ICPC is developing a specialised curriculum to strengthen the skills of its personnel, enabling them to tackle complex corruption cases more effectively.

The commission is also decentralising its anti-corruption efforts by working closely with state governments and empowering State Attorneys General to take a more active role in preventing corruption at the local level.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, affirmed the government’s commitment to fighting corruption, describing it as a top priority of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He underscored the importance of the ICPC’s work in promoting integrity and accountability across all sectors.

“Corruption is a cancer that weakens institutions and impedes national progress,” Fagbemi said.

“The ICPC’s role is crucial in identifying and prosecuting corrupt practices, as well as fostering a culture of transparency.”

Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal, also pledged support for the ICPC’s strategic plan, emphasizing the need for collaboration to tackle corruption effectively.

She reiterated that corruption extends beyond financial misconduct and includes the failure to fulfill responsibilities.

“We are committed to supporting the ICPC’s efforts in implementing this action plan,” Dongban-Mensem added.

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), loyal to former Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi, has officially declared its support for the upcoming local government elections in the state, scheduled for October 5, 2024.

The party has confirmed its participation and has submitted the names of its candidates for various positions.

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In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, titled “Re: Position of the Rivers State All Progressives Congress on the forthcoming Local Government Election in Rivers State Vis-a-vis the Judgement in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/987/2024,” the party made its stance clear.

The letter, signed by Emeka Beke, Chairman of APC Rivers State, and Sam Etetegwung, the State Secretary, outlined the party’s position.

The statement recalled the legal challenges the party faced after an attempt by certain members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to dissolve the duly elected Rivers State Executive Committee and replace it with a caretaker committee led by Chief Tony Okocha.

In response to this, the Beke-led Executive Committee filed legal suits in the Rivers State High Court (Suit No. PHC/3592/CS/2023 and Suit No. PCH/3735/CS/2023), which resulted in a ruling by Justice S. H. Aprioku affirming the validity of the Beke-led committee until 2025.

The court also dismissed the legitimacy of Okocha’s purported caretaker committee.

The APC leadership in Rivers acknowledged the Federal High Court’s recent judgment in Suit No. PHC/ABJ/CS/987/2024 but emphasized the precedence of an earlier judgment by Justice I. P. C. Igwe of the Rivers State High Court.

That ruling, delivered on September 4, 2024, in Suit No. PHC/2696/CS/2024 between the Action People’s Party (APP) and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), mandated RSIEC to proceed with the local government election as scheduled or choose a new date.

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APC Rivers maintained that this earlier ruling takes precedence, adhering to the legal principle that “when two equities are equal, the first in time prevails.”

In the statement, Beke reaffirmed the authority of the State Executive Committee to determine the party’s participation in the local elections, stressing that Chief Tony Okocha is not recognized as a legitimate leader within the APC Rivers Chapter.

Beke also noted that the Supreme Court of Nigeria had previously ordered the Rivers State Government to conduct local government elections within three months of its ruling, which further supports the continuation of the election process.

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The party distanced itself from the Federal High Court judgment in Suit No. PHC/ABJ/CS/987/2024 and discredited Okocha’s claims, urging the public to disregard his position.

APC Rivers called on citizens and institutions to participate in the upcoming October 5 local government elections, affirming that it has submitted its candidates and fully supports the process.

The statement emphasized that APC Rivers is committed to the elections and urged voters to ignore the “rantings” of Okocha and his supporters, reaffirming the party’s readiness for the polls.

A leadership crisis has erupted within the Action People’s Party (APP) in Rivers State, as a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt granted an ex parte order for substituted service on the Rivers State APP Chairman, Sunny Wokekoro, the 23 chairmanship candidates for the forthcoming local government elections, and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

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The court action was initiated by Hart Badom, Destiny Omereji, and four other members of the APP.

They are contesting the leadership of Wokekoro and calling for his removal, asserting that Badom is the legitimate state chairman.

Additionally, the plaintiffs are questioning the legitimacy of the 23 APP chairmanship candidates, casting doubt on when they officially became party members.

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The plaintiffs, represented by Excel Omeghara Esq, also seek to nullify all actions taken by Wokekoro, including his selection of the candidates for the local government election, calling them unlawful.

Justice Emmanuel Obele, who presided over the case, approved the motion to serve the defendants by substituted means, given the circumstances.

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The APP has seen a surge in prominence in Rivers State recently, after it was adopted by loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the platform to contest the October 5 local government elections.

Many of these APP candidates are former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who switched to APP amid internal disputes within the PDP.

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The PDP in Rivers State has since opted to boycott the elections.

Aaron Chikwuemeka, the state chairman, reaffirmed the party’s decision in a recent press briefing, declaring that the party remains loyal to former Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who continues to wield significant influence despite his successor, Governor Fubara, constitutionally assuming PDP leadership in the state.

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